Periodontitis

If you are like most people, medical terms are sometimes a bit intimidating. It can seem overwhelming to hear and try to understand. “Periodontitis” can be such a term. You hear something like that from your dentist, and anxiety is sure to spike. However, here you’ll find out what it means in layman’s terms so you can more easily understand what exactly is going on!

What Is Periodontitis?

Firstly, periodontitis can actually be very serious; so if you suspect you have it, see your dentist as soon as possible.

Periodontitis is the next step of untreated gingivitis…

Gingivitis is when your gums become swollen and inflamed, usually due to poor oral hygiene.

Periodontitis happens when the gums begin to recede. They form pockets between the teeth and gums themselves, and/or between the teeth and their roots. These pockets hold festering bacteria that can cause more severe inflammation, bleeding gums, loose or lost teeth, and the breakdown of the tissues and bone supporting your teeth—essentially being your gums and jawbone. Advanced cases of periodontitis will have symptoms of severe pain when chewing, constant bad breath, and a terrible taste in the mouth. These symptoms will also be accompanied by loose or migrating teeth and possible tooth loss.

Some things that may make you more prone to periodontitis are as follows:

smoking

hormonal changes

low saliva production

type two diabetes

and genetics.

These don’t necessarily mean you will definitely get periodontitis. However, they are good reasons to stay even more on top of your dental hygiene than you normally might. Of course, you should always consult a medical professional before self diagnosing or self medicating in any way.

Periodontitis, if caught early enough, can be resolved by your dentist with your cooperation. It is very, very important to keep up with dental hygiene and health checkups. That way you can be aware of any trouble spots or bad habits you may have that could harm your teeth.Plus, only a dentist can give you that deep cleaning of your teeth to really help keep your mouth healthy and happy and let you build up good hygiene habits on a clean slate! I hope you feel a bit more informed and comfortable visiting your dentist to help you on your way to a healthy, happy smile. Call us today, 866-604-3327, to schedule your next oral exam!